Soller’s Secret Stories: A Guide to Mallorca's Golden Valley

The golden valley of Soller is famed for its oranges and lemons, craggy Tramuntana mountain range, and its dreamy horseshoe bay. And yet, there’s so much more to the UNESCO heritage town of Soller, the jewel in Mallorca’s crown. On this walking tour around the magical mountain town, you’ll take in its main sites and lesser-known corners, and get to know its historical heroes, local producers and charismatic community. The tour kicks off at Ferrocarril de Sóller, the town’s historic railway station with its vintage train and tram. From there, you’ll make your way to Soller’s heart, where you’ll see the grand modernist Iglesia de Sant Bartomeu de Sóller (Sant Bartomeu Church), Banco Santander (the town’s ornate Art Deco bank), and Ajuntament de Sóller, the town hall where you’ll hear a little known fact that’s not in the guide books. From there, you’ll stroll along Carrer de sa Lluna, the quaint shopping street which is home to the town’s oldest building, and one of Spain’s fastest runners too. Along with curious facts and some folklore, you’ll learn about the terrible plague of 1865 that drove Sollerics to find their fortunes overseas, and find out why Mallorquí was once an underground language. You’ll see Mallorca’s oldest working olive mill, a local citrus farm called Ecovinyassa, and the historic fruit and vegetable co-op, Cooperativa Agrícola de Sóller. On this Soller tour, you’ll have the opportunity to: • Learn about the rich legacy of the Moors and Romans, and the town’s once-thriving textile industry • Discover artists’ Joan Miró’s and Pablo Picasso’s close links with Soller • Admire the bravery and talent of Sant Jordi, Captain Angelets and Jeronimo Estades Llabres and learn what makes them local heroes • Investigate the mysterious creatures that, according to folklore, lurked in Soller • Get spooked about Soller’s UFO sightings • Find out why Sollerics keep water bottles on their doorsteps • Visit Gran Hotel Sóller, the historic hotel where soldiers’ boots were made in WW1 • Hear about the owner of Soller’s first television • Guess which was French King Louis XIV’s favourite variety of Soller orange Before finishing this hour-long Soller circuit, you’ll also have a chance to eat the best local ice cream, visit the town’s market and cultural museum, and find out about an ancient mouse-goat that put Mallorca on the scientific map.

Price: £7.99 from VoiceMap